{"id":22467,"date":"2024-10-17T17:09:50","date_gmt":"2024-10-17T22:09:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medschool.prd.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/?p=22467"},"modified":"2024-10-17T17:09:50","modified_gmt":"2024-10-17T22:09:50","slug":"2024-revisions-to-the-nih-nrsa-fellowship-application-and-review-process","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/2024\/10\/17\/2024-revisions-to-the-nih-nrsa-fellowship-application-and-review-process\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Revisions to the NIH NRSA Fellowship Application and Review Process"},"content":{"rendered":"<h4><span class=\"s2\">Revisions to the <\/span><span class=\"s2\">NIH <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Fellowship Application and Review Process<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span class=\"s3\">The NIH receives about 6,500 predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship applications annually. Over the past few years, they received concerns that parts of the fellowship review process may create a disadvantage <\/span><span class=\"s3\">for<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> some applicants. <\/span><span class=\"s3\">In response, the NIH revised the review <\/span><span class=\"s3\">criteria <\/span><span class=\"s3\">and application process. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s3\">These changes take effect for due dates <\/span><span class=\"s2\">on or after January 25<\/span><span class=\"s4\">th<\/span><span class=\"s2\">, 2025. <\/span><span class=\"s3\">Applications due before January 25<\/span><span class=\"s5\">th<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> will use the current fellowship application format. <\/span><span class=\"s3\">Applications that are submitted in 2024 using the current forms, and resubmitted after January 25, 2025, will need to be re-submitted using the new forms.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s3\">The <\/span><span class=\"s3\">updated criteria are<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> only<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> applicable to F30, F31, F32, F33, and K99\/K00 applications.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s2\">New Review Criteria:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">Candidate Preparedness and Potential:<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s3\"> Focus <\/span><span class=\"s3\">the <\/span><span class=\"s3\">reviewer<\/span><span class=\"s3\">&#8216;s<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> attention on three essential elements<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> \u2013<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> the fellowship candidate\u2019s preparedness and potential, <\/span><span class=\"s3\">the <\/span><span class=\"s3\">research training plan, and the<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> sponsor\u2019s<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> commitment to the candidate.<\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">Research Training Plan:<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s3\"> Ensure broad recognition of a range of candidates and research training contexts by clarifying and simplifying the language in the application and review criteria. <\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">Commitment to Candidate:<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s3\"> Minimize bias in the review process by emphasizing the commitment to the candidate while reducing the emphasis o<\/span><span class=\"s3\">n<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> the sponsor and institutional reputation. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"s2\">Revised Fellowship Application Process:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">The application is <\/span><span class=\"s3\">shorter<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> and <\/span><span class=\"s3\">more structured to better align with new reviewer criteria<\/span><span class=\"s3\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">There is l<\/span><span class=\"s3\">ess emphasis on <\/span><span class=\"s3\">the <\/span><span class=\"s3\">sponsor<\/span><span class=\"s3\">&#8216;s<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> track <\/span><span class=\"s3\">record and<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> more emphasis on <\/span><span class=\"s3\">the <\/span><span class=\"s3\">training plan and preparedness<\/span><span class=\"s3\">.<\/span><span class=\"s3\">They e<\/span><span class=\"s3\">liminat<\/span><span class=\"s3\">ed the<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> requirement to submit grades<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> as part of a predoctoral applicant\u2019s <\/span><span class=\"s3\">sketch<\/span><span class=\"s3\">. You may mention courses that you took, especially if they speak to your <\/span><span class=\"s3\">\u201c<\/span><span class=\"s3\">candidate\u2019s preparedness<\/span><span class=\"s3\">\u201d<\/span><span class=\"s3\">, but do not include your grades. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">There is <\/span><span class=\"s3\">now less <\/span><span class=\"s3\">emphasis on publications<\/span><span class=\"s3\">. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">They have more clearly explained who should author each section of the application.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">They have u<\/span><span class=\"s3\">pdated <\/span><span class=\"s3\">r<\/span><span class=\"s3\">eference letter instructions<\/span><span class=\"s3\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"s2\">Updated<\/span>\u00a0F<span class=\"s2\">ellowship A<\/span><span class=\"s2\">pplication S<\/span><span class=\"s2\">ections<\/span><span class=\"s2\">:<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"s3\">Candidates Goals, Preparedness, and Potential<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> (written by candidate)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Overall Training Goals<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Candidate\u2019s preparedness<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Candidate\u2019s self-assessment (skills <\/span><span class=\"s3\">you<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> have and skills <\/span><span class=\"s3\">you\u2019d<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> like to obtain during the fellowship period)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Scientific perspective<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> (show your ability to think scientifically and that you have a broader perspective of the field, rather than just your specific research proposal)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s3\">Research training plan<\/span> <span class=\"s3\">(written by candidate)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s3\">Training activities and Timeline (should be closely aligned with <\/span><span class=\"s3\">the <\/span><span class=\"s3\">candidate\u2019s goals)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Research training project<\/span><span class=\"s3\">&#8211;<\/span><span class=\"s3\">specific aims<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\">Research Training Project strategy, s<\/span><span class=\"s3\">cientific foundation, and rationale a<\/span><span class=\"s3\">pproach<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Sponsor(s) Commitment<\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\"> (written by the sponsor)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Mentoring approach and candidate mentoring plan<\/span> <span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">(this <\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">should be tailored to the <\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">candidate\u2019<\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">s<\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\"> specific research goal<\/span><span class=\"s3\" style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">s)<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Prior training and mentoring<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Commitment to the candidate\u2019s research training plan<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Research training environment<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"s10\"><span style=\"font-size: 1.2rem\">Candidate\u2019s potential<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"s2\">Additional links:<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s3\">Overview of updated NIH<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> revised guidelines:<\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/grants.nih.gov\/policy\/peer\/improving-nrsa-fellowship.htm\"><span class=\"s15\">grants.nih.gov\/policy\/peer\/improving-nrsa-fellowship.htm<\/span><\/a><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s3\">Video<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> recording <\/span><span class=\"s3\">explaining<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> updated NIH <\/span><span class=\"s3\">revised <\/span><span class=\"s3\">guidelines<\/span><span class=\"s3\">: <\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ezHg3g5rQz0\"><span class=\"s15\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ezHg3g5rQz0<\/span><\/a> <span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">SF242 Application Guide<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> \u2013 instructions relevant to most fellowship programs<\/span><span class=\"s3\">:<\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/grants.nih.gov\/grants\/how-to-apply-application-guide.html\"><span class=\"s15\">https:\/\/grants.nih.gov\/grants\/how-to-apply-application-guide.html<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"s7\"><span class=\"s6\">\u2022 <\/span><span class=\"s2\">Notice of Funding Opportunity<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> \u2013 specific instructions, due dates, institute participation<\/span><span class=\"s3\">,<\/span><span class=\"s3\"> and related notices:<\/span><span class=\"s3\"><br \/>\n<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/researchtraining.nih.gov\/programs\"><span class=\"s15\">https:\/\/researchtraining.nih.gov\/programs<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Revisions to the NIH Fellowship Application and Review Process The NIH receives about 6,500 predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowship applications annually. Over the past few years, they received concerns that parts of the fellowship review process may create a disadvantage for some applicants. In response, the NIH revised the review criteria and application process. These changes&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":357,"featured_media":21020,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[98],"tags":[16],"class_list":["post-22467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-announcements","tag-funding-opportunity"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cdn.vanderbilt.edu\/t2-main\/medschool-prd\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2023\/12\/Announcements.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22467","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/357"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22467"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22467\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22469,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22467\/revisions\/22469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21020"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22467"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22467"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medschool.vanderbilt.edu\/career-development\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22467"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}